The UK and ASEAN, through the collaboration of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology & Innovation (COSTI), ASEAN Secretariat, the UK Mission to ASEAN, Centre for Global Equality, i-Teams and leading universities in Viet Nam and Indonesia, are jointly hosting a knowledge-sharing session on the ASEAN i-Teams programme. 

In conjunction with the 86th Meeting of COSTI and other related meetings, hosted by COSTI-Singapore in Singapore, the event brings together experts, university representatives and policymakers to explore ways to harness the potential of university innovations and bring them to market.

The ASEAN i-Teams programme, funded by the UK and developed in close cooperation with ASEAN partners, is modelled after the successful i-Teams programme at the University of Cambridge. 

Launched in 2006, the i-Teams approach has proven to be a game-changer in helping universities commercialise new technologies by training multi-disciplinary student teams in hands-on market research. The programme has now been piloted at two leading universities in ASEAN: Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Viet Nam) and Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia).

Today’s session marks a crucial opportunity for all ASEAN Member States to share lessons learned from these pilot programmes and discuss challenges and opportunities for technology transfer in the region. The event seeks to encourage collaboration among universities, governments and industries to create ecosystems that support innovation and commercialisation across ASEAN.

The UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, commented:

The i-Teams programme is an exciting addition to the growing portfolio of cooperation between ASEAN and the UK in science and technology.  As a relatively new Dialogue Partner, the UK is delighted to be building a strong and productive relationship with COSTI, and to be supporting the exciting work, and cutting-edge research, taking place across ASEAN.

British High Commissioner to Singapore, Nikesh Mehta OBE, remarked: 

The ASEAN i-Teams Programme is an excellent example of how the UK and ASEAN can work together to build a culture of innovation that transcends borders. By supporting the commercialisation of university technologies, we are helping to ensure that the incredible research coming out of ASEAN universities reaches its full potential, benefiting industries and communities across the region.

ASEAN COSTI Chair, Dr. HUL Seingheng, also commented:

The ASEAN i-Teams Programme reflects the thriving relationship between ASEAN and the UK. This UK-ASEAN collaboration is important for upscaling technological advancements and creating opportunities for sustainable growth in the region. The session allows for exploring ways to further strengthen research and innovation systems in Southeast Asia, as well as building relations between researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

The session featured presentations from the ASEAN i-Teams implementing partner, the Centre for Global Equality, based in Cambridge, alongside representatives from the pilot universities in Viet Nam and Indonesia. Participants engaged in breakout group discussions to explore how the i-Teams approach can be further adapted to meet the specific needs and priorities of ASEAN Member States.

Key objectives of the session include:

The partnership between the UK and ASEAN continues to strengthen, with both regions committed to innovation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building. Through initiatives like the ASEAN i-Teams programme, the UK and ASEAN continues to are positioning themselves as leaders in the global innovation landscape.

For more information on the ASEAN i-Teams programme, visit: www.iteamsonline.org/asean-i-teams